Pain is one of the most common physical sensations that affect people worldwide. It can range from mild aches and discomfort to severe and debilitating symptoms. Chronic pain is defined as pain that persists beyond the average time of healing and continues to cause distress, suffering, and disruption to daily life. Technologies have aided people suffering from chronic pain, providing relief and improved awareness of the available treatment options.
Various technological devices, pharmaceutical treatments, and psychological approaches are currently geared toward managing chronic pain. Technological advances are one of the most popular forms of pain management due to its convenience and clinical efficacy. Here are some of the technologies available for chronic pain management:
-
BurstDR Stimulation
BurstDR stimulation, also known as Burst-Controlled Rectangular Stimulation, is a type of spinal cord stimulation used to control chronic pain. It is the only type of stimulation found to provide substantial pain-relieving effects in people with a range of chronic pain conditions, including lower back and leg pain, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and some types of headaches.
This type of stimulation helps decrease pain signals by sending messages to the nerve fibers, which stop pain signals from reaching the brain. It can also help reduce muscle spasms and tender points, improving mobility and increasing function.
-
Radiofrequency Ablation Devices
Radiofrequency ablation is a procedure that uses heat produced by radio waves to destroy nerve tissue, interrupting the transmission of pain signals to the brain. This technique can treat many chronic pain conditions, including lower back, shoulder, knee, and neck pain.
Radiofrequency ablation is a minimally invasive procedure often performed in the doctor’s office or at a hospital outpatient clinic. Patients generally experience pain relief immediately after the procedure, and the effects may last for weeks or even months. It is one of the most commonly used procedures for chronic pain management and is effective in helping people manage their pain.
-
Pain Management Smartphone Apps
Smartphone apps have been increasingly adopted for chronic pain management in recent years. Smartphone apps help people keep track of their chronic pain, assess its severity, monitor medication use, and more.
These apps can provide people with the tools they need to understand better and manage their pain levels, helping them stay in control of their condition and take proactive measures to reduce their pain.
-
ActiPatch®
ActiPatch® is a non-invasive medical device developed to help relieve pain and inflammation. A wearable device worn on the affected area provides a low-level electrical signal for seven days.
This electrical signal helps relieve pain by stimulating the affected nerve cells and temporarily blocking the pain signals from reaching the brain. It has been clinically proven to reduce pain and swelling and improve mobility, making it an ideal treatment for individuals suffering from chronic pain.
-
Virtual Reality
Virtual Reality is an innovative treatment for chronic pain that combines virtual reality, biofeedback, and other behavioral therapies. It uses virtual reality to create a simulated therapeutic environment and teaches users how to utilize the tools of relaxation and distraction to reduce pain, discomfort, and stress. It is non-invasive, drug-free, and increasingly popular as a pain treatment due to its success in providing long-term relief.
-
HEAT Pain Pro™ TENS Device
The HEAT Pain Pro™ TENS device is wearable in physical therapy and rehabilitation to treat chronic pain. This device utilizes transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation to relieve pain and improve mobility.
It is a convenient, easy-to-use, cord-free device that is non-invasive and helps stimulate the production of endorphins and natural opioids that help reduce pain levels. It also increases blood circulation, helping to promote muscle healing.
Conclusions
The future of pain management is bright, and technology will no doubt be a key player. With advancements in science and technology, the future of pain management is bound to improve dramatically. Companies such as ON Semiconductor are already providing innovative solutions for pain management, bringing pain management solutions to the next level.
In the near future, technological solutions and devices may provide more personalized treatments, improve the accuracy of diagnoses, monitor chronic pain conditions in real time, and more. As technology advances and more researchers join the fight for improved pain management solutions, we can look forward to a future where chronic pain can be managed more optimally.
Author: Brittany Cotton
Publisher: International Pain Foundation, iPain Blog, Team iPain
